I found this interesting read online today: from Jet Flight Training....
With the boom in low cost air travel, many airlines have changed the way that they train and recruit new Pilots.
In an effort to cut costs many airlines are no longer prepared to train low hours less experienced pilots on their Jet aircraft. Many airlines now deem pilots at this level as a ‘Training Risk’ this is because pilots with low hours or new starters have no previous training history other than that of their respective FTO’s.
This creates a Catch 22 situation as one needs a way to gain that vital experience which in turn will enable them to prove themselves to the airlines.
Completing a Self Sponsored Type Rating (SSTR) is one way to prove to the airlines that you have what it takes to fly a medium or heavy jet.
It really does seem that if you are a fresh NTR cadet with around 250 hours TT that this is the only way to get into the cockpit. Shame really!